Assessing the relationship between migraine and sino-nasal symptoms and diseases among Syrian Private University students: A case–control study

Migraine is a common chronic and disabling condition, diagnosed late in most patients. Furthermore, sino-nasal diseases are severe stressing conditions that can correlate with headaches and migraine. This study aims to assess the relationship between migraine and sino-nasal disorders among Syrian Private University students. A case-control study was conducted among the students of the Syrian Private University in Damascus. Data were obtained using a valid self-administered questionnaire in Arabic to study the prevalence and severity of migraine and sino-nasal diseases using the Migraine Screening Questionnaire and Sino-Nasal Outcome Test 22. The study included 963 students, of whom 417 were cases who had migraines according to the Migraine Screening Questionnaire, and 546 were controls who did not. The Chi-square test assessed the relationship between case-controls and study variables. P-value was considered at < .05. Out of 963 students, 296 were male and 667 were female, with an average age of 23.8. Most students were from the Faculty of Medicine (27.1%) and were in their final years of study (24%). Most sino-nasal diseases are related to migraine, including nasal obstruction, the need to blow the nose, ear pain, ear fullness, or pain in facial bones. Sino-nasal outcome test score was significantly related to migraine. The severity of sino-nasal symptoms was significantly associated with migraine. The results of this study indicate that the diseases and symptoms of the nose and sinuses are significantly associated with migraine. Healthcare providers must raise awareness about this relationship for further evaluation and research and for early provision of the appropriate advice and treatment to improve patient's quality of life and minimize disability.